The Future: Source Urban Art Center
After six years of reaching out to skeptical and alienated young people with mobile teams and rented facilities, Source is taking

A Permanent Outreach Base
The History: Reaching Alienated Young People

Over the last six years Source has come in contact with thousands of different disenfranchised young people. A holistic philosophy of serving physical, emotional, and spiritual needs have allowed us to speak into and see many young lives change. Mobile outreach team efforts are greatly enhanced when follow up is made easier through facilities providing interactive music/art events, small group meetings, trainings, physical needs, and a place to contact when in crisis. Outreach staff, mentoring, advocacy, transitional housing, The Dwelling Coffeeshop, FUSE Outreach House, discussion groups, retreats, detention centers, after school, life-skill training, and Urban Ministry Training have been effective Source programs since 1995

Source has grown from two staff in 1995 to over 20 staff and interns and over 40 volunteers in 1999. Though our services have this last six years, it may surprise many to learn that our central, and only, office have remained to be a 10 ft x 15 ft room in a church basement. Since 1995 we have also seen the effectiveness of outreach bases. The Dwelling Coffee Shop (3 1/2 years) and the FUSE Outreach House (2 years) served to be a base for outreach staff, host safe drug-free events, be a location for discussion groups, and be a place to come to when in need. Source did not own either of these facilities and this last year we had to move out of both in unrelated circumstances. Mobile outreach teams continue to be a strength of Source, however we are currently experiencing the limitations of reaching out without having a permanent outreach base.

The Next Step

The Urban Art Center is now under Construction Phase 2 and Outreach events are happenning!

Experience:
We have gained experience from the facilities we have leased (since 1995) & have seen buildings be effective tools.

Need for Outreach Base:
We moved out of Dwelling & FUSE House this last year & currently have no outreach facilities.

Growth:
As young people in need have increased, so has our programs, staff, & volunteers.

Purchased Agreement: One Year To Get Financing
A permanent urban outreach base as an essential tool to reach disenfranchised youth has been a Source vision since 1995. We have been effective and faithful with our limited resources and facilities for the last six years. Now that we have We have had our sights on this building for some time and first met with the owner in 1997. This building meets the three most practical priorities of size, location, and cost. We have signed a purchase agreement and have until the end of 2001 to get the financing. We are beginning a capital fundraising campaign with the goal of raising the entire amount needed for purchase and renovation along with commitments for monthly utilities by 12/31/01. Please join us first by praying for this project. We also ask that you will take time to read the capital fundraising campaign letter. which gives more specific details about 2000 year end gifts and 2001 pledges. Thank you for your time, past prayers and support, and allowing us to share Source's exciting next step with you.

The Next Step: Source Urban Art Center
Location: An ideal urban location accessible to young people without vehicles. To be a visible presence and accessible to disenfranchised young people we need to be in the urban area of south Minneapolis. This building is in an ideal location near the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, on a bus line, and next to the Phillips neighborhood.

Size: Plenty of room to meet existing needs & to grow into.
Large meeting and gallery area (4,000 sq. ft. with 20 ft. ceiling), counseling rooms, art and music rooms, training rooms,washers / dryers / showers for homeless, offices, storage, reception, and garage space for vehicles can all be included in the building. A loft/balcony on the top floor could add an additional 2,500 sq. ft. to make the total 12,000 sq. ft.

Cost: This is a great price.
The current owner has been generous by offering us the property for $180,000 (possibly 1/2 of what it could be sold for). Overhead, exterior, and bottom floor renovations will come to $70,000. The loft/balcony and upper floor will come to $165,000 to $300,000 depending on what type of handicap accessibility the city allows to be installed. The loft level could be phased in after we occupy the building. The exact figures are dependent on the city zoning people and should be determined by the beginning of 2001.

For updates, email us at sourcemn@juno.com, or check out the Urban Art Center page.